Beverage Container Identification

ABSTRACT

A group of beverage containers that are each uniquely identified within the group, each having a container label and a removable cap. There are a plurality of beverage containers removably held together in a group such that a consumer is able to remove one or more containers from the group. There are the same plurality of separate identifying graphics, each graphic of the plurality of graphics unique from all other graphics of the plurality of separate identifying graphics. Each container has one of the plurality of separate identifying graphics applied to both its cap and its label, wherein each container of the group is thus uniquely identified relative to all other containers of the group. If a cap is removed from a container of the group it can be matched up to its original container by matching the unique identifying graphic that is applied both to the container and to the cap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 16/569,407, filed on Sep. 12, 2019, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/897,380, filed on Feb. 15, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application also claims priority of Provisional application 62/532,432, filed Jul. 14, 2017, and of Provisional application 62/624,435, filed Jan. 31, 2018. The entire disclosures of both provisional applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to identification of beverage containers.

Beverage containers such as water bottles are in use worldwide. A case or other container of “grouping” of plastic disposable water bottles sold at retail can include multiple containers. Usually, the containers and the labels are identical. If multiple containers are opened, there is no easy way to track who opened and drank from the container, or when the container was opened. Because of this, much of the contents end up being disposed of and so are wasted.

SUMMARY

Featured in this disclosure is a system, device, and method that are used to identify a beverage container. The beverage container may be a disposable plastic bottle filled with drinking water, although that is not a limitation as the container can be made of other materials such as glass or aluminum, and the container can hold other beverages such as soft drinks and juice, to name two of virtually unlimited possibilities.

The beverage container typically has a neck that leads to the outlet opening. The outlet opening is typically capped with a screw-off plastic cap. There is at least one ring around the neck. The ring can be but need not be part of a cap assembly of the type known in the field, where the ring breaks off from the assembly and remains on the container neck when the cap is first screwed off and removed. There can be two, or more, adjacent rings, each encircling the neck. At least one of the rings can be adapted to be moved around the neck. A series of letters and/or numbers and/or other identifying indicia can be placed on the neck and/or one or more rings. A ring can be rotated about the neck to align a particular portion of the ring with a particular identifying indicia. The system, device, and method can thus allow a person who is using the container to particularly identify the container by aligning the particular portion of the ring with an identifying indicium. For example, if the indicia include letters, the alignment can be to one or more letters that identify the person. This allows several people to be able to keep track of which container is theirs, e.g., in situations where they are each drinking from identical containers. As another example, the indicia can include numbers that correspond to days of the month, or numbers or letters that correspond to days of the week. The user can align to the day the container was opened or last used, as a means to keep track of how long the container has been open. This helps prevent a person from drinking contents that are past their useful date. Other examples will be apparent based on the present disclosure.

In another example, a method of identifying the containers in a group of containers, where the containers have removable caps, includes a group comprising a plurality of separate identifying indicia, each indicium of the group unique from the other indicia of the group. One indicium is applied to one container, to uniquely identify the container among the group. The indicia can comprise stickers. Each sticker can carry a graphic that is different than any other graphic carried by any other sticker of the group. One sticker of a group of stickers can be applied to each container. The stickers can be applied to the cap assemblies. In another example, the indicia can comprise a color of the caps. The caps can each be part of a cap assembly that includes a cap and a ring, wherein the ring remains on the container when the cap is removed, and wherein the caps and associated rings of each cap assembly are the same color, so that the color remains on the container even after the cap has been removed from the container.

In another example, the indicia comprise printed graphics. Each graphic can be different than any other graphic of the group. One graphic of a group of graphics can be applied to each container. The graphics can be applied to the cap assemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is side view of a beverage container without the cap.

FIG. 2 is side view of another beverage container with the cap.

FIG. 3 is side view of another beverage container with the cap.

FIG. 4 shows two caps that can be used with the containers.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a filled beverage container with printing of identical emojis on the cap and the label.

FIG. 6 illustrates a group of six filled beverage containers removably fixed together, each of which has printing of identical unique identifying graphics on the cap and the label of each container, but where no two containers carry the same identifying graphic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates plastic bottle 20 with top neck 22 that leads to opening 36. Upper neck portion 34 has screw threads 38 to accept a twist-off and on cap, of the type well known in the field, examples of which are shown elsewhere. Generally annular neck portion 32 is located just above skirt 30, while neck portion 40 is located just below skirt 30. Group 33 of identifying indicia (in this case, including the 26 letters of the English alphabet) is printed, embossed, or otherwise formed or created on or in one or both of neck portion 32 and neck portion 40. FIG. 1 illustrates one specific type of container and neck and closure configuration, but is not limiting of the invention, as the invention can be applied to virtually any type of container with a neck.

FIG. 2 shows a container as in FIG. 1 , but including one non-limiting example of a system used to identify the container (and so the person using the container). The system can comprise one or more indicia groups, and one or more rotatable rings proximate (e.g., over, or immediately adjacent to) the indicia group(s). The rings can have an opening or window. The ring can be rotated such that a window is located directly over one of the indicia (e.g., a particular letter). This could be used to indicate that the person has a first or last name that begins with the particular letter. If two or more people are drinking from identical or similar containers, this indication can help them distinguish which container is for which person. Also, the window can be made directly in the cap rather than the retention ring that is adapted to separate from the cap (and remain on the container) when the cap is removed from the bottle.

In FIG. 2 , identification system 100 is for bottle 102 with neck 104 and removable cap 106. Retaining ring 108 is as discussed above, and includes window 109. In this case, there is a second rotatable ring 114 located just below ring 108, and with window 116. This allows two rows of indicia (in this non-limiting case, letters, and number). The indicia can be used as desired, for example to identify the user, and the date that the container was first opened. The ring(s) can include a structure (such as a tab that extends outwardly from the ring), to help the user to manipulate (turn) the ring. Tab 110 is on ring 108 and tab 118 is on ring 114. Any ring can have this or another structure to help the user manipulate the ring (e.g., knurling).

In an alternative arrangement, the indicia can be printed on the ring. Also, a particular portion of a ring can include an arrow, or a line, or some other marking that can be aligned with an indicia, through rotation of one or more of the rings.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary system 170. Bottle 172 has neck region 180. Removable cap 174 closes the bottle, indicia 182 (in this case, the alphabet) are printed at the bottom of neck 180, just below rotatable ring 176 (which is part of the cap that breaks off front the cup when the cap is removed, and remains on the bottle). Ring 176 has indicator (pointer) 178 that can be aligned with a desired indicium (e.g., the letter “E”).

In another example, the rotatable ring (which can be but need not be a part of the cap that breaks off from a cap assembly when the cap is removed, and remains on the bottle) can be printed or inscribed with indicia. Another added ring that is split in half into two separately rotatable rings (which may each have a projection or other structure to assist a user in grasping and spinning them) can be included. Each of these two rings can have an arrow or other pointer, one pointing up to one series of indicia, and the other pointing down to second series of indicia, which can be printed on the container. This system would allow identification of two items, e.g., both the user and the date.

Also contemplated herein are other means of identifying beverage containers. The containers can be of any style, size, or material, including but not limited to plastic, paper-based, or glass with protective silicone cover. A goal is to uniquely identify each beverage container in a case or other grouping sold at retail. The unique identification can be accomplished at the manufacturing stage and/or by the consumer. Ways that beverage containers can be uniquely identified among their grouping at the manufacturing stage include but are not limited to providing a unique identification on the container, the container label, and/or the container cap. The unique identification can be printed on one, two, or all of the container, label, or cap, or it can be provided in other ways such as with stickers that are applied to the container, label, and/or cap. Ways that beverage containers can be uniquely identified among their grouping by the consumer stage include but are not limited to providing unique stickers that the consumer can attach to the container, label, and/or cap, or providing an area on the container, label, and/or cap for the consumer to place his or her own unique identifier (such as providing an area of scratch-off material that the consumer can manipulate as desired, for example with initials, a symbol, or alphanumeric characters).

An exemplary beverage container 172 can have can have container body 173 and optional label 254. The label can be applied in any known manner. Also optional is area 256 of scratch-off material (which may be covered by a removable protective cover (not shown) when sold, so that the material is not inadvertently marked before it is marked by the consumer)). Cap 174 includes a generally flat upper surface 175.

FIG. 4 illustrates a set 270 including two of innumerable possible unique cap designs (which can also be sticker designs, as explained below). Caps 271 and 272 each have a unique emoji or other graphic and/or alphanumeric identifier. In a group of two containers, when these two caps are used, each container is uniquely identified by its cap graphic. In one non-limiting example, label 254 can be printed with the same emoji or other graphic that is on the cap, so that the consumer can easily match the cap to the container after the cap has been removed. For larger groupings (such as cases of 6, 8, 12, 24, 30, or 48 containers), there would be an equal number of unique identifiers on the caps. Another example of a unique identifier is the color of the cap, so a case of 24 could have 24 different color caps. If the rings of the caps stay on the container and are also colored, the user could identify the correct open container by finding a container with a ring that was the same color as the user's cap.

Also, a case of containers could include a sheet of stickers, with the same quantity of unique graphic stickers as the quantity of containers in the case. The consumers could remove a sticker and apply it anywhere on the beverage container, its label, or its cap, for example.

In another example, the manufacturer or bottler of beverages to be consumed by consumers prints a unique identifying graphic on each cap of the beverage containers that are to be sold as a group, such as a six-pack of containers that are removably held together, or a case of 24 which is often held together with a cardboard case and a shrink-wrap overlay that keeps the containers in the case until the consumer removes one or more from the shrink-wrap. In some examples the label of each container of the group is printed with the same unique identifying graphic that is on the cap of the particular container. When each container in a group that is sold together is uniquely identified from all other containers of the group, the consumers of the beverages can keep track of which container and which cap is theirs. This helps both in terms of personal safety (less sharing of germs) and reduces waste that can occur when people lose track of their beverage and so stop drinking it.

In some examples the disclosure includes a group of beverage containers that are each uniquely identified within the group, each having a container label and a removable cap. There are a plurality of beverage containers removably held together in a group such that a consumer is able to remove one or more containers from the group. There is the same plurality of separate identifying graphics, each graphic of the plurality of graphics unique from all other graphics of the plurality of separate identifying graphics. Each container has one of the plurality of separate identifying graphics applied to both its cap and its label (or directly to the container/bottle if there is no label). Each container of the group is thus uniquely identified relative to all other containers of the group. Thus, if a cap is removed from a container/bottle of the group it can be matched up to its original container by matching the unique identifying graphic that is applied both to the container and to the cap.

In some examples all of the identifying graphics are on stickers that are applied to each of the container labels and each of the caps. In some examples all of the identifying graphics are emojis. In some examples the identifying graphics are directly printed on the caps and labels of each of the containers of the group.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary, non-limiting, filled beverage container 300 produced by a manufacturer/bottler, and ready for sale to a consumer. Container 300 has bottle 302 that contains a beverage 303 to be consumed, such as water. Bottle 302 is closed by removable cap 304, as is well known in the field. Bottle 302 is commonly made of plastic, glass, or aluminum. Cap 304 has top 306 that is printed with emoji 310 a. Bottle 302 carries label 308 (typically made of a plastic film or of paper) that is printed with emoji 310 b. Emojis 310 a and 310 b are identical. Since the cap and bottle are each printed by the bottler with the same emoji or other identifying graphic that can be recognized by the consumer, once the consumer removes the container from a group of containers, the consumer can thereafter identify both the bottle and the cap simply by matching the unique identifying graphics that are on both. The consumer does not need to take any action to be able to so identify the cap and bottle, such as marking them with a pen, or placing a sticker on them, or otherwise writing on them. Also, consumers who are not able to or not interested in uniquely marking their bottle and cap will still be able to easily identify both. For example, young children and handicapped individuals may not have the capacity to themselves uniquely mark their bottle and cup.

FIG. 6 illustrates a group 320 of beverage containers that are each uniquely identified within the group, each having a container label and a removable cap. Six identical containers 321-326 are filled with a beverage such as water, and removably held together in a group by plastic band 328, as is known in the field. There are thus a plurality of beverage containers removably held together in a group such that a consumer is able to remove one or more containers from the group. Each container has a removable cap (only cap 330 of container 321 numbered, for ease of illustration). There is the same plurality of separate identifying graphics, each graphic of the plurality of graphics unique from all other graphics of the plurality of separate identifying graphics. Each container has one of the plurality of separate identifying graphics applied to both its cap and its label. Each container of the group is thus uniquely identified relative to all other containers of the group. Thus, if a cap is removed from a container of the group it can be matched up to its original container by matching the unique identifying graphic that is applied both to the container and to the cap.

In this example, unique graphic 334 a is printed on cap 330 of container 321, and the same graphic 334 b is printed on the bottle and/or container label 332 (the identical graphics are labelled with an a and a b because they are separate, one on the cap and the other on the bottle or its label). Also, separate unique identifying graphics 336, 338, 340, 342, and 344 are printed on one of the other bottles and its corresponding cap, identified as one graphic 336 a and 336 b on container 322, another graphic 338 a and 338 b on container 323, another graphic 340 a and 340 b on container 324, another graphic 342 a and 342 b on container 325, and a sixth graphic 344 a and 344 b on container 326.

In some examples all of the identifying graphics are on stickers that are applied to each of the container labels and each of the caps. In some examples all of the identifying graphics are emojis. In some examples the identifying graphics are printed on the caps and labels of each of the containers of the group. All of the marking is done at the factory/bottler, so that each container in the group of containers that is delivered to the consumer is uniquely marked on its cap and its bottle, as compared to each other container of the same group.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A group of beverage containers that are each uniquely identified within the group, each having a container label and a removable cap, comprising: a plurality of beverage containers removably held together in a group such that a consumer is able to remove one or more containers from the group; the same plurality of separate identifying graphics, each graphic of the plurality of graphics unique from all other graphics of the plurality of separate identifying graphics; wherein each container has one of the plurality of separate identifying graphics applied to both its cap and its label; wherein each container of the group is thus uniquely identified relative to all other containers of the group; and wherein if a cap is removed from a container of the group it can be matched up to its original container by matching the unique identifying graphic that is applied both to the container and to the cap.
 2. The group of beverage containers of claim 1, wherein all of the identifying graphics are on stickers that are applied to each of the container labels and each of the caps.
 3. The group of beverage containers of claim 1, wherein all of the identifying graphics are emojis.
 4. The group of beverage containers of claim 1, wherein the identifying graphics are printed on the caps and labels of each of the containers of the group. 